CompTIA DataSys+ (DS0-001)Database DeploymentEasy
A database administrator is preparing to install a new database server for a web application. The application developers have specified that the database must be able to scale horizontally by adding more read replicas as traffic increases. Which database architecture pattern BEST supports this requirement?
- AMaster-Slave Replication
- BSynchronous Multi-Master
- CSharding
- DActive-Passive Clustering
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Master-Slave Replication
Master-slave replication allows for a single master database to handle all writes, while multiple slave databases (read replicas) can be added to distribute read queries, thereby scaling read capacity horizontally.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Synchronous multi-master replication focuses on high availability and write distribution across masters, but can introduce complexity and latency, and isn't primarily for simple read scaling.
- C. Sharding partitions data across multiple independent databases, addressing both read and write scaling, but is a more complex solution than simply adding read replicas for read scaling.
- D. Active-passive clustering primarily provides high availability, not horizontal read scaling.
Master-Slave Replication
A database architecture where one database (master) handles all write operations, and its data is asynchronously copied to one or more other databases (slaves/replicas) that handle read operations.
- Provides horizontal read scaling.
- Enhances data availability and can be used for backups.
- Slaves are eventually consistent with the master.
Memory trick: To scale reads wide, have a master and many slaves ride.